Pattern controlled multiple switching unit



1967- h we. HANSON ETAL 3,334,199

PATTERN CONTROLLED MULTIPLE SWITCHING UNIT Filed Nov. 5, 1965 MAGNETLEVER H52 v RELEASE RELEASE C 0 66 M1CRO SWITCHES- mvmons HELMER c.HANSON ANDREW J. KMETZ ATTORNEW United States Patent Filed Nov. 3, 1965,Ser. No. 506,246 Claims. (Cl. 200-46) The present invention relates tomultiple switching units in general and, more particularly, to improvedpattern controlled switching units for selectively actuating a pluralityof predetermined switching circuits.

Complex multiple switching units having the capability of controllingmultiple circuits in accordance with some predetermined pattern havedeveloped in the art of electronics instrumentation. Such patterncontrolled multiple switching units normally include a plurality ofindividual switches which are selectively actuated to achieve a desiredcontrolled switching function.

The efficiency of an electronic instrument which includes a plurality ofindividual circuit paths controlled by a multiple switching unit isoften seriously limited by the deficiencies inherent in the switchingunit utilized.

Deficiencies in previously devised pattern controlled switching unitshave given rise to the need for improved multiple switching unitsprovided with simplified structural characteristics without compromisinga capability of prolonged trouble-free operation.

A general object of this invention is to provide an improved patterncontrolled multiple switching unit of simplified construction.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a patterncontrolled switching unit with a single motive power means employed toclose predetermined electrical contacts.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides inthe following specification and claims, certain embodiments and detailsof construction being illustrated by the specification when consideredwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view illustrating the pattern controlledswitching unit of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partially sectioned view in side elevation of theswitching unit of the present invention; and

FIGURE 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical drivecircuitry of the unit of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, FIG- URE 1 illustratesthe pattern controlled switching unit of the present invention indicatedgenerally at 10. Unit 10, includes a support means 11 having a lowersupport plate 12 and an upper support plate 13. Upper support plate 13is secured to and spaced from lower support plate 12 by a plurality ofspacing members, such as bolts 14. Mounted above and spaced from theupper support plate 13 is a stationary, non-conductive mounting plate 15which serves to support a plurality of electrical contact members 16, asshown in FIGURE 2, thereby forming a first bank of contact means.Superimposed on mounting plate 15 is a movable non-conductive mountingplate 17 which serves to support a plurality of electrical contactmembers 18, thereby forming a second bank of contact means.

The mounting plate 15 is held in spaced relationship above upper supportplate 13 by means of spacing columns 23 which surround mounting bolts19. Mounting bolts 19 are suitably secured to upper support plate 133,334,199 Patented Aug. 1, 1967 "Ice 13d at which position a suitablefastening means is provi ed.

A motive power means 20 is positioned within support means 11 andpreferably includes a suitable electromagnetic operating means 21mounted on the top surface of lower support plate 12. Power means 20includes a movable contact plate 22, held in non-operative spacedrelationship with operating means 21 by actuating bolts 24. Plate 22 ispreferably composed of a magnetic material, such as steel. Actuatingbolts 24 are suitably secured to contact plate 22 and extend upwardtherefrom through apertures provided in upper support plate 13, throughpassages in additional spacing columns 26, positioned between uppersupport plate 13 and mounting plate 15, through apertures in stationarymounting plate 15, and through suitableapertures in mounting plate 17.When the switching unit is in non-operative condition, movable mountingplate 17 is held in spaced relationship above stationary mounting plate15 by resilient biasing means, such as coil springs 30, which actbetween a surface on stationary plate 15 and a surface on movable plate17. Actuating bolts 24 extend above the upper surface of mounting plate17 and are suitably secured thereto. The apertures and passages in uppersupport plate 13, spacing columns 26, lower mounting plate 15, and uppermounting plate 17 are large enough to enable actuating bolts 24 toreciprocate freely therethrough.

Preferably, the major part of the periphery of upper mounting plate 17constitutes a depending portion 32, which, however, is interrupted, asat 33, to permit insertion of a control element 84 between the mountingplates, as described hereinafter. Lower mounting plate 15 is cut away at34 to accommodate the depending portions 32. The apertures in mountingplate 15 and 17, through which actuating bolts 24 extend, preferablyextend through the cut-away portions 34 and depending portions 32 of themounting plates. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, theactuating bolt apertures in lower mounting plate 15 are provided withenlarged portions 36, and coil springs 30 are positioned aroundactuating bolts 24 within the enlarged portions. The coil spring biasingmeans act between surfaces 38' created at the ends of enlarged portions36 and the lower surface of depending portions 32.

A movable locking means 38 is positioned between contact plate 22 andupper support plate 13. Locking means 38 includes a pair of memberspositioned in spaced, parallel alignment, such as metallic strip members40. Members 40 are fastened together at one end by a spacer 42 and attheir opposite end by roller means, such as rollers 44 and 46. Eachroller member is rotatably secured between strip members 40, with roller44 positioned to contact the lower surface of upper support plate 13,and roller 46 positioned to contact the upper surface of contact plate22. In non-operative condition of switching unit 10, roller 46 is heldby a retaining means, such as detent portion 48, on contact plate 22.Locking means 38 is preferably horizontally positioned with a portion50, including spacer 42, extending beyond the outer edges of supportplates 12 and 13. A releasing means, or lever 52, is pivotally connectedto U-shaped member. 54 attached to the edge of lower support plate 12directly below the extended portion 50 of locking means 38. Lever 52 ispositioned between strips 40 and between spacer 42 and an edge ofsupport plate 13. The opposite end of lever 52 preferably extends abovethe upper surface of upper mounting-plate 17. A resilient biasing means,such as a coil spring 56, is suitably attached at one end to lever 52and is attached at an opposite end to an upright stud 58, which extendsabove the upper surface of upper support plate 13. Biasing means 56 isprovided to hold lever 52 in a vertical position against a side surfaceof either, or both, the upper and lower mounting plates.

Preferably, stud 58 is the upper portion of a screw which extends fromthe bottom surface of strips 40 on locking means 38, through the spacebetween the strips 40, and up through upper support plate 13. The lowersurfaces of the strips 40 rest on a head 57 of stud 58 thereby servingto maintain locking means 3-8 in a horizontal position. Additionally, alimit stop pin 59 may be positioned perpendicularly between strips 40.

A lever-release-actuated switching means 60, preferably a normally-openmicroswitch, is suitably mounted on the upper surface of upper supportplate 13 adjacent the upright position of release lever 52. A releasepin 62, attached to lever 52 and extending perpendicularly therefrom, isprovided to contact an actuating means 64, attached to switch 60. Whenlever 52 is in a vertical position, actuating means 64 closes switch 60under the influence of pin 62.

A locking means actuated release switch 66, preferably a normally-closedmicroswitch, is positioned adjacent the bottom surface of upper supportplate 13. A switch actuating rod 68 is connected to the end of lockingmeans 38 adjacent rollers 44 and 46. Rod 68 may be essentially aprojection extending from means 38 toward release switch 66. A resilientbiasing means, preferably a coil spring 70, is connected at one end tolocking means 38 adjacent the position of attachment of actuating rod68. Spring 70 is connected at its opposite end to a stud 72 whichextends downwardly from the bottom surface of upper support plate 13.Upon operation of the switching unit, biasing means 78 pulls thehorizontally movable locking means 38 toward release switch 66.

Both the upper and lower mounting plates are provided with a pluralityof apertures which correspond in number and position. A plurality ofelectrical contact members 18, illustrated only representatively inFIGURE 1, are positioned in the apertures in upper mounting plate 17.Contact members 18 are suitably secured within the apertures in uppermounting plate 17 in aligned spaced relationship with a like number ofcontact members 16, positioned in the apertures of lower mounting plate15. An enlarged portion 76 in the upper portion of each aperture in thelower mounting plate 15, is provided to contain a resilient biasingmeans, such as coil springs 78. Springs 78 are positioned around theupper portion of contact members 16 and act between an upper surface 79,created by the enlarged portion 76 in lower mounting plate 15, and ahead 80 ot the upper-most end of each contact member 16. Each spring 78urges its corresponding contact member 16, in an upward direction towardthe aligned contact members 18 in upper mounting plate 17. The upwardmovement of each contact member 16 is limited by a ring 82, positionedabout the bottom portion of each member 16 below the bottom surface oflower mounting plate 15. Rings 82 contact plate 15, holding the head 80of each member 16 in spaced relationship with a superimposed member 18,when the switching unit is in non-operative condition. A control element84 may be inserted into the space between contact members 16 and 18.Element 84 may constitute a punched card or similar-type control sheet.A card-actuated switching means, such as normally-open microswitch 86,is attached to upper mounting plate 17, adjacent the position of maximuminsertion of control element 84. Element 84 actuates switch 86 uponcontact therewith.

Although the appropriate wiring between the motive power means 20 andthe switches 60, 66 and 86 is not illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, theschematic diagram of FIGURE 3 illustrates the wiring contemplated forthe preferred embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, anisolation transformer is provided between the switching unit and asuitable source of electrical power. The switches 60, 66 and 86 are eachconnected in series across the operating means 21. The operating meanspref erably includes a diode bridge circuit 88 connected across anelectromagnet 90.

Assuming proper connection of a source of electrical power and closureof a suitable on-ofi. switch on one side of the isolation transformer,the operation of switching unit 10 is as follows. Control element 84 isprovided with a number of holes, located in predetermined positions inaccordance with a desired pattern of electrical circuits to be connectedthrough the contact members of the switching unit. When element 84reaches its maximum position of insertion between the heads of members16 and the lower surface of upper mounting plate 17, normallyopenmicroswitch 86 is actuated, thereby connecting the source of electricalpower to the operating means 21. When electromagnet is energized,contact plate 22 is moved in a downward direction to operating means 21.Simultaneously, the upper mounting plate 17 is also moved in a downwarddirection by actuating rods 24. With plate 22 in its lowered position,movable locking means 38 is caused to roll horizontally away from detent48, by the action of resilient biasing means 70. Thus, biasing means 70pulls locking means 38 toward normally closed switch 66, and actuatingrod 68 contacts the switch there-by opening it to disconnect the sourceof power from operating means 21. Contact plate 22 and upper mountingplate 17 are held in their downward positions by rollers 44 and 46 whichact between the lower surface of upper support plate 13 and the uppersurface of contact plate 22. At this point in the operation of theswitching unit, the card actuated swich 86 is in a closed position, thelocking means actuated switch 66 is in an open position, and thelever-release actuated switch 60 is still in its normally-closedposition. Contact members 16 not in alignment with a hole in controlelement 84 are biased downwardly by the control element, while thecontact members which are so aligned are contacted by superjacentterminal members 18 and are biased downwardly I to a somewhat lessextent.

After the desired switching function has been accomplished, releaselever 52 is pulled away from its vertical position against the mountingplates. The release lever is caused to rotate about its pivotalconnection on member 54 and is caused to contact the spacer 42positioned between strips 48 on locking means 38. Actuating pin 62 onlever 52 is pulled away from actuating means 64 on normally-closed leverrelease switch 60, thereby opening the switch. Further, rotation ofrelease lever 52 moves locking means 38 and actuating rod 68 away fromswitch 66, thereby enabling switch 66 to assume its normallyclosedposition. Lever 52 is rotated far enough to allow roller 46 to fall intodetent portion 48, and contact plate 22 re-ciprocates upwardly away fromoperating means 21, by the force of resilient biasing means 30 acting inan upward direction upon mounting plate 17 at the lower surface ofdepending portions 32. The rotation of lever 52 and horizontal movementof locking means 38 are limited by contact of pin 59 with the portion ofstud 58 which extends between strips 40. Upon release, lever 52 is urgedback to its vertical position by resilient biasing means 56, actingbetween lever 52 and stud 58. Pin 62 then recontacts switch actuatingmeans 64, and switch 60 is closed. Switching unit 10 is now ready forthe next pattern controlling switching function.

Switch 66 is provided to open the circuit, removing energization fromoperating means 21, during the period of the switching function in whichit is not needed. Furthermore, as lever 52 pulls locking means 38 androd 68 away from switch 66, energization would again be applied tooperating means 21, if release-lever-actuated switch 60 were notconnected in the circuit. Thus, switch 60 opens the circuit to preventre-energization of operating means 21 before the present control element84 is removed and a new element is inserted.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the invention may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit oressential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is thereforeto be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to beembraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:

1. A switching unit adapted for actuation by a programmed controlelement to elfect a selective connection of a plurality of electricalcontact members, comprising a support means, a first bank of contactmeans attached to said support means, a second bank of contact meanspositioned in spaced, parallel alignment with said first bank of contactmeans, means operatively connected with said second bank of contactmeans for biasing said second bank away from said first bank, motivepower means on said support means, said motive power means including arelatively stationary portion and a portion movable with respect to saidrelatively stationary portion, said movable portion being operativelyconnected with said second bank of contact means, means in said unitoperatively connected for limiting the biased movement of said secondbank of contact means away from said first bank of contact means and forenabling said motive power means to drive said second bank of contactmeans toward said first bank of contact means against the action of saidbiasing means, locking means operatively connected between said movableportion of said motive power means and said support means for limitingthe travel of said movable portion with respect to said relativelystationary portion and for locking the movable portion and the secondbank of contact means in position upon activation and subsequentdeactivation of said motive power means, means connected to said movableportion of said motive power means for retaining said locking means in agiven position prior to activation of said motive power means, biasingmeans connected between said locking means and said support means forurging said locking means away from said retaining means subsequent toactivation of said motive power means, release means movably connectedto said support means and extended through said locking means forenabling operative communication therewith, means connected between saidrelease means and said support means for biasing said release meanstoward said support means, release actuated switching means mounted onsaid support means adjacent said release means, locking means actuatedswitching means mounted on said support means, and control elementactuated switching means mounted on said second bank of contact means.

2. A switching unit according to claim 1, wherein said first bank ofcontact means includes a first non-conductive mounting plate attached tosaid support means in spaced relationship therewith and a firstplurality of electrical contact members extending through and secured tosaid first mounting plate, and said second bank of contact meansincludes a second non-conductive mounting plate and a second pluralityof electrical contact members extending through and reciprocally securedto said second mounting plate.

3. A switching unit according to claim 2, wherein said stationaryportion of said motive power means includes an electromagnetic means andsaid movable portion of said motive power means includes a magneticcontact plate and actuating rods connected to said contact plate andextended through said second mounting plate.

4. A switching unit according to claim 3 wherein said actuating rods areprovided with a portion extending beyond said second mounting plate andsaid means for limiting the biased movement of said second bank ofcontact means includes fastening means attached to said extended portionof said actuating rods.

5. A switching unit according to claim 1 wherein said locking meansincludes a pair of members positioned in spaced, parallel alignment, aspacing means connected between two ends of a first section of saidmembers, said spacing means and said first section of said members beingpositioned exteriorly of said support means, a second section of saidmembers being positioned between said movable portion of said motivepower means and said support means, means connected between two ends ofsaid second section for contacting said movable portion and said supportmeans thereby maintaining said movable portion and said support means inspaced relationship.

6. A switching unit according to claim 5 wherein said means connectedbetween the ends of said second section of said locking means includes afirst roller means rotatably secured between said members, forcontacting said support means and a second roller means rotatablysecured between said members for contacting said movable portion of saidmotive power means.

7. A switching unit according to claim 6 wherein said retaining meansconnected to said movable portion of said motive power means includes adetent means in the surface of said movable portion, said detent meansbeing positioned for communication with said second roller means duringa non-operative condition of the switching unit.

8. A switching unit according to claim 1 wherein said release actuatedswitching means comprises a normallyopen switch, said locking meansactuated switching means comprises a normally-closed switch, saidcontrol element actuated switching means comprises a normally-openswitch, and all of said switching means are electrically connected inseries across said stationary portion of said motive power means.

9. A switching unit according to claim 5 wherein said release meanscomprises an elongated member rotatably secured at one end thereof tosaid support means, said elongated member extending between said pair ofspaced members of said locking means and between said spacing means andsaid support means.

10. A switching unit according to claim 1 wherein said means forlimiting the biased movement of said second bank of contact means isattached to said movable portion of said power means and contacted bysaid second bank of contact means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,924,678 2/ 1960 Hickok 200-463,166,648 1/ 1965 Soderman et a1 200-46 3,176,091 3/1965 Hanson et a1.200-46 BERNARD A. GILHEANY, Primary Examiner. H. E. SPRINGBORN,Assistant Examiner.

1. A SWITCHING UNIT ADAPTED FOR ACTUATION BY A PROGRAMMED CONTROLELEMENT TO EFFECT A SELECTIVE CONNECTION OF A PLURALITY OF ELECTRICALCONTACT MEMBERS, COMPRISING A SUPPORT MEANS, A FIRST BANK OF CONTACTMEANS ATTACHED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS, A SECOND BANK OF CONTACT MEANSPOSITIONED IN SPACED, PARALLEL ALIGNMENT WITH SAID FIRST BANK OF CONTACTMEANS, MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID SECOND BANK OF CONTACTMEANS FOR BIASING SAID SECOND BANK AWAY FROM SAID FIRST BANK, MOTIVEPOWER MEANS ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS, SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS INCLUDING ARELATIVELY STATIONARY PORTION AND A PORTION MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO SAIDRELATIVELY STATIONARY PORTION, SAID MOVABLE PORTION BEING OPERATIVELYCONNECTED WITH SAID SECOND BANK OF CONTACT MEANS, MEANS IN SAID UNITOPERATIVELY CONNECTED FOR LIMITING THE BIASED MOVEMENT OF SAID SECONDBANK OF CONTACT MEANS AWAY FROM SAID FIRST BANK OF CONTACT MEANS AND FORENABLING SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS TO DRIVE SAID SECOND BANK OF CONTACTMEANS TOWARD SAID FIRST BANK OF CONTACT MEANS AGAINST THE ACTION OF SAIDBIASING MEANS, LOCKING MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID MOVABLEPORTION OF SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS AND SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR LIMITINGTHE TRAVEL OF SAID MOVABLE PORTION WITH RESPECT TO SAID RELATIVELYSTATIONARY PORTION AND FOR LOCKING THE MOVABLE PORTION AND THE SECONDBANK OF CONTACT MEANS IN POSITION UPON ACTIVATION AND SUBSEQUENTDEACTIVATION OF SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID MOVABLEPORTION OF SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID LOCKING MEANS IN AGIVEN POSITION PRIOR TO ACTIVATION OF SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS, BIASINGMEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID LOCKING MEANS AND SAID SUPPORT MEANS FORURGING SAID LOCKING MEANS AWAY FROM SAID RETAINING MEANS SUBSEQUENT TOACTIVATION OF SAID MOTIVE POWER MEANS, RELEASE MEANS MOVABLY CONNECTEDTO SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND EXTENDED THROUGH SAID LOCKING MEANS FORENABLING OPERATIVE COMMUNICATION THEREWITH, MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAIDRELEASE MEANS AND SAID SUPPORT MEANS FOR BIASING SAID RELEASE MEANSTOWARD SAID SUPPORT MEANS, RELEASE ACTUATED SWITCHING MEANS MOUNTED ONSAID SUPPORT MEANS ADJACENT SAID RELEASE MEANS, LOCKING MEANS ACUTATEDSWITCHING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT MEANS, AND CONTROL ELEMENTACTUATED SWITCHING MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID SECOND BANK OF CONTACT MEANS.